Here is some very exciting news for all of you out there looking to ramp up your certifications or those looking to earn their first Microsoft certification. As of yesterday, the very popular Second Shot offer is now back in market and applies to all IT professional and developer certification exams (all exams with a 070 prefix), as well as all academic exams (exams with a 072 prefix)!

What is Second Shot? In a nutshell, Second Shot gives you peace of mind as you take on Microsoft certification exams by giving you one free retake for each exam you don’t pass the first time. That’s right, a FREE retake! Of course, you always pass all of your certification exams the first time, right?

How does Second Shot work?

1. Register to receive a Second Shot voucher for either a single exam or a certification pack (certification packs not only offer you the Second Shot, but also save you at least 15% off the single exam prices too).
2. Using the Second Shot voucher number, schedule and pay to take your initial exam through our testing provider, Prometric, at http://www.register.prometric.com.
3. Take your exam.
4. If you do not pass your exam the first time, you may register to take the same exam again at no charge, via http://www.register.prometric.com. Provide them with the same Second Shot exam voucher number when registering the second time.

• NOTE: Please wait one day after failing the exam to register for the retake, to allow for test results to be entered into the system.

How long is Second Shot available?

• Second Shot voucher offer is available from August 27, 2012 to May 31, 2013.
• Exam voucher expires on May 31, 2013 for single exams (with 070 and 071 prefixes), June 30, 2013 for academic exams (exams with a 072 prefix), and December 31, 2013 for certification packs

Which certification exams is Second Shot available for?

• Second Shot is attached to all regular-priced individual technical exams
• Second Shot is attached to the following MCSA, MCSE, and MCSD certification exam packs (and saves you at least 15% off the individual exam pricing):
• MCSA: Windows Server 2012
• MCSA: Windows Server 2008
• MCSA: SQL Server 2012
• MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure
• MCSE: Server Infrastructure
• MCSE: Private Cloud
• MCSE: Data Platform
• MCSE: Business Intelligence
• MCSD: Web Apps
• MCSD: Windows Apps

Looking for more info? Check these links out:

• Second Shot FAQs
• Second Shot Terms and Conditions
• Second Shot page on Microsoft Learning

Good luck on your Microsoft certification path and enjoy the Second Shot offer for both your individual exams and exam pack purchases.

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Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Director, Worldwide Partner Experience
Microsoft Corporation
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights